Social Bond Theory Research Paper

Social bond theory developed by Travis Hirschi in 1969 that claims social bonds or ties to family, school, friends, or work tend to minimize crime. The idea behind the theory is that people who are bonded to others they respond to the other people who are then able to control the person behavior. Young agrees that if the theory was limited to an explanation of low crime rates within bonded social groups it would be an accurate theory but to say that these types of social bonds would prevent crime rises many issues. One of the issues is the theory doesn’t address crimes that are committed because of expectations, sanctions, or incentives to the family, or friends we are bonded to. It also ignores the social, economic, and moral power that overrides
bonds and causes individuals to do serious harm to each other. Social bond theory certainly does not explain why soldiers murder, rape, loot, and pillage villages across history. There is evidence to support majority of American soldiers did have tight bonds at home and within their military unit but still rob, murder, rape, and pillage villages. In my opinion Young does show why social bond theory is not a good theory from a socio-economic standpoint when people have an opportunity for a social, or economic gain they will do whatever is necessary to achieve the goal regardless of bonds, friendships, or family. I partially agree with Young’s claim that economic status is not a cause of crime because the rich commit crimes just like the poor usually in pursuit of economic gains. I believe people are never satisfied with what they have and will always seeks higher goals because of this crime will always be an issue and will always have a link to economic gain.